Moçambic: Visió econòmica i política
Mozambique is open to foreign trade, which represents more than 106% of the country's GDP (World Bank, latest data available). According to data from Comtrade, in 2023, the country’s main exports comprised coal (21.3%), petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons (20.9%), unwrought aluminium (13.2%), electrical energy (8.0%), and coke and semi-coke of coal, lignite or peat (5.6%); whereas imports were led by petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous (16.4%), fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates (3.8%), rice (3.5%), wheat and meslin (2.8%), and motor vehicles for the transport of goods (2.6%). Revenues from natural gas and electricity exports rose by USD 1,184.1 million and USD 87.2 million, respectively. In contrast, income from aluminium, mineral coal, and heavy sands exports dropped by 33.1%, 22%, and 8.4%, respectively (data Central Bank).
The country's main customers in 2023 were India (15.6%), China (14.2%), South Africa (14.0%), South Korea (5.6%), and the United Kingdom (4.8%); while the main suppliers were South Africa (23.2%), China (15.4%), the United Arab Emirates (10.3%), India (8.0%), and Singapore (6.1% - Comtrade). Mozambique is a member of the WTO and of the South African Development Community (SADC), and has signed trade agreements with Malawi and Zimbabwe. In February 2018, Mozambique joined the EU–SADC EPA that was signed in June 2016 by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. The country also signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Customs duties remain high and there are numerous non-tariff barriers in the country (such as slow customs clearance procedures).
Mozambique's trade balance is negative and is expected to remain so until exports of coal and gas to Asia develop further. In 2023, the country exported USD 8.2 billion, importing 10.1 billion (stable and -31.1% year-on-year, respectively, as the high import figure in 2022 was driven by the arrival of the Coral Sul FLNG floating platform). As per services, exports reached USD 1 billion against USD 2.1 billion in imports (data WTO). The World Bank estimated the country’s trade balance to be negative by 15.1% of GDP in 2023, from 35.6% the previous year. According to preliminary figures from the Central Bank, from January to September 2024, Mozambique's goods exports generated USD 6.1 billion, marking an increase of USD 218 million compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the goods import bill decreased by 1.7%, reaching USD 6.4 billion.
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 7,428 | 6,514 | 8,758 | 14,671 | 10,098 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 4,669 | 3,720 | 5,704 | 8,299 | 8,276 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 2,762 | 2,778 | 2,557 | 2,575 | 2,123 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 931 | 781 | 822 | 1,128 | 997 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 105.6 | 99.9 | 112.1 | 135.3 | 105.6 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -2,212 | -2,202 | -2,257 | -5,056 | -903 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -4,069 | -4,210 | -4,008 | -6,523 | -1,891 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -11.2 | -4.2 | 9.7 | 30.9 | -25.2 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -2.7 | -15.2 | 16.8 | 26.5 | -5.3 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 68.4 | 67.1 | 71.7 | 85.5 | 60.3 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 37.1 | 32.8 | 40.4 | 49.8 | 45.3 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 3.5 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 26.4 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 31.3 | 16.9 | 7.3 | -3.1 | 0.1 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Member of African Union
Member of Cotonou Agreement
Member of African Growth and Opportunity Act beneficiary country
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
India | 15.6% |
China | 14.2% |
South Africa | 14.0% |
South Korea | 5.6% |
United Kingdom | 4.8% |
See More Countries | 45.7% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
South Africa | 23.2% |
China | 15.4% |
United Arab Emirates | 10.3% |
India | 8.0% |
Singapore | 6.1% |
See More Countries | 37.0% |
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
1.1 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
78.19% | |
17.76% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 17.76% |
2.14% | |
1.46% | |
0.45% | |
0.01% |
2.6 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
47.26% | |
28.38% | |
8.24% | |
5.43% | |
5.35% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 4.68% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 0.66% |
3.20% | |
1.25% | |
0.89% | |
n/a% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Vols fer algun comentari sobre aquest contingut? Escriu-nos.
© eexpand, Tots els drets reservats.
Actualitzacions: May 2025